Approaches to psychology

Approaches to psychology Evolutionary Approach. A2 EVOLUTIONARY APPROACH

Key concepts of the Evolutionary Approach. • Natural selection- At anytime, the environment exerts selective pressure on individuals..it becomes survival of the fittest...the weak do not survive. • Fitness- Extent to which a individuals characteristics allow them to adapt to their environment . A2 EVOLUTIONARY APPROACH

Key concepts of the Evolutionary Approach cont... • Survival is aided by reproduction because this ensures the continuation of genes responsible for fitness. It is the characteristic rather than the individual that is selected by nature. Natural selection occurs when (a) A characteristic appears (b) The characteristic is genetically transmitted (c) The gene is adaptive. A2 EVOLUTIONARY APPROACH

Key concepts of the Evolutionary Approach cont... Sexual Selection The selection of characteristics that are concerned only with reproductive success. Females are the selectors whilst males compete for her attention. This is because males produce thousands of sperm and invest little in each ‘reproduction’, whereas females invest a great deal as they produce fewer eggs. Therefore females select their mates strategically- Basically she only wants the best and nothing less!! A2 EVOLUTIONARY APPROACH

Key concepts of the Evolutionary Approach cont... Kin Selection. Passing on ones genes directly (offspring) and indirectly (helping relatives)..the total number of genes passed on through the above equates to inclusive fitness. A2 EVOLUTIONARY APPROACH

Key concepts of the Evolutionary Approach cont... The Modular Mind. This is explained as ultimate rather than proximate levels of causation. Proximate: Concerned with the here and now. Ultimate: Concerned with (EEA) environment of evolutionary adaptiveness. (How we used to behave, how the behaviour has adapted to now) A2 EVOLUTIONARY APPROACH

Evaluation of Evolutionary Approach. • Not reductionist- It fully considers the meaning of our behaviour. • Increases our knowledge of Nature Nurture with discussions on Genes and how they are vulnerable to environmental changes. (X) Maybe argued as reductionist- Behaviour reduced to genetic factors. (X) Ignores cultural influences on our behaviour. A2 EVOLUTIONARY APPROACH

Methodology used by evolutionary approach. • Naturalistic observations • Experiments: mainly with non-human animals. • Cross cultural studies. • Surveys/Interviews Look back at PYA3 notes for more details on these research methods as well as the strengths and limitations. A2 EVOLUTIONARY APPROACH

Approaches to psychology

Approaches to psychology

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Approaches in Psychology

Approaches to Psychology

Psychology: Issues and Approaches

Soc 319: Sociological Approaches to Social Psychology

APPROACHES TO ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY

Two approaches to psychology

Soc 319: Sociological Approaches to Social Psychology

Soc 319: Sociological Approaches to Social Psychology

Soc 319: Sociological Approaches to Social Psychology

Prologue (B): Contemporary Approaches to Psychology

APPROACHES TO PSYCHOLOGY

Unit 1: Approaches to Psychology

Soc 319: Sociological Approaches to Social Psychology

Approaches to Psychology

Present Day Approaches to Psychology

Psychology: History and Approaches

Soc 319: Sociological Approaches to Social Psychology

Approaches in Psychology

APPROACHES TO PSYCHOLOGY

APPROACHES TO PSYCHOLOGY

Approaches to Psychology

Biological approaches to psychology